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Grafton signs up to be one of the first Green Deal providers

Builders and plumbers merchant Grafton Group has met with Climate Change Minister Greg Barker to sign an agreement with government to become one of the first Green Deal Providers.

In all, 22 organisations including power companies, SMEs and a community group have signed the agreement. Green Deal Providers will be offering energy efficiency packages to consumers when the scheme launches later this year.

The Green Deal is the government’s plan to improve the nation’s draughty homes at no upfront cost to the consumer.

The government will be working with these pioneers to ensure the move from testing into a managed launch in October works seamlessly and provides a good customer experience from day one.

Greg Barker said: “The signing of this agreement between government and business pioneers represents a watershed moment in the development of the Green Deal.

“The commitment shown today highlights the opportunity that organisations see in the Green Deal from community groups, SMEs to big business which only bodes well for the scheme’s future success.

“We will be working with these organisations to ensure they can fulfill the potential they have demonstrated today and become the first to offer Green Deals.

Paul Roche director of sustainability and renewables, Grafton Group, said: “As a builders and plumbers merchant, we have an important role to play, supporting installers and product manufacturers across the Green Deal product range. The Green Deal is a very exciting opportunity and we will be working hard to help our trade customers and consumers understand how they can benefit.

“We take our commitment to sustainability very seriously and are proud to be part of this agreement and all it stands for. This initiative brings together major players within the industry and demonstrates how we are all working towards that common goal, to reduce carbon emissions.”

Grafton Group’s principal merchant businesses are Buildbase, Plumbase, Selco and Jackson Building Centres. Through its national network of branches the Group is helping its trade customers in many ways within the sustainable building environment. For example, Grafton is helping them gain MCS certification which is necessary to install renewable technologies. Grafton’s plumbers and builders merchants have also opened specialist showrooms to demonstrate sustainable products for the new build or RMI markets.